Journal Article

Does the Epi-No® Birth Trainer reduce levator trauma? A randomised controlled trial

Chantarasorn, Varisara, Phipps, Hala, Shek, Ka Lai, Dietz, Hans Peter, Langer, Susanne

2011

Overview

Introduction and hypothesis The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether antepartum use of a birth trainer may reduce levator trauma. Methods Two hundred nulliparous women were examined with four-dimensional translabial ultrasonography at 35–37 weeks of gestation and 3 months postpartum in a randomised controlled pilot study. Women in the intervention group were instructed to use the birth trainer from 37 weeks onwards. Results One hundred forty-six women returned for follow-up 5.6 months (range 2.3–22.1) after childbirth. Seventy-eight of them had had normal vaginal deliveries (53%), 32 vacuum/forceps (22%) and 36 a caesarean section (25%). The risk of avulsion was halved in the intervention group (6% vs 13%, P  = 0.19) on modified intention to treat analysis. A treatment received analysis revealed a nonsignificant 42% and 30% reduction in levator avulsion and microtrauma, respectively ( P  ≥ 0.22). Conclusions This pilot randomised controlled trial showed a nonsignificantly lower incidence of pelvic floor muscle injury in women who used the Epi-No® device from 37 weeks onwards.

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adult / Catheterization - instrumentation / Catheterization - methods / Cesarean Section / Delivery, Obstetric / Female / Gynecology / Humans / Incidence / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Original Article / Pelvic Floor - diagnostic imaging / Pelvic Floor Disorders - epidemiology / Pelvic Floor Disorders - prevention & control / Pelvic Organ Prolapse - epidemiology / Pelvic Organ Prolapse - prevention & control / Pilot Projects / Prenatal Care - methods / Prospective Studies / Retrospective Studies / Ultrasonography / Urology